From text to table : the role of food in scarcity narratives

Details

Supervisors

Bragard, Véronique

Faculty

Faculté de philosophie, arts et lettres

Degree label

Master [120] en langues et lettres modernes, orientation générale, à finalité spécialisée: langues des affaires

Abstract

Within the pages of literature emerges a feast of words, where food not only nourishes characters, but also carries deep symbolic meanings. Exploring the intricate relationships between food and literature, this dissertation reads the role of food in scarcity narratives. It uses the concept of Sitopia as its theoretical framework, analyzing the works of Atwood's The Year of the Flood, McCarthy's The Road, and Hegland's Into the Forest. These novels envision different food futures, each written in a unique narrative style. The first chapter introduces the theoretical concepts of food, rituals, and literature of scarcity, before outlining the role of food in the three novels. The second chapter examines how food shapes values and ethical choices. Finally, the third chapter delves into the way food influences the characters’ perception of time.